Kansas basketball bracketology: Jayhawks projections for March Madness, NCAA tournament
LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball won’t be carrying a Big 12 Conference trophy into the NCAA tournament this year, but soon it’ll learn what path it’ll need to take to earn one during March Madness.
The Jayhawks (21-12) wrapped up their Big 12 tournament stay with a loss in the quarterfinals against Arizona, which would go on to lose in the final against Houston. Their regular season sported a quality non-conference slate, before inconsistent efforts during the league slate saw them drop out of contention for a Big 12 regular season crown. Considering they entered the year as the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, there’s a lot for them to prove in the days ahead as they attempt to realize that potential.
So, as Selection Sunday opens and the release of the NCAA tournament bracket nears, what are some of the latest projections saying about where Kansas will end up? Are the Jayhawks going to have one of the tougher, or easier, roads to a Sweet 16? Is it possible coach Bill Self and company would have to beat one of the No. 1 seeds in the round of 32 to advance that far?
Here are a few projections:
ESPN — No. 7 seed
This projection from Saturday night would place Kansas, a No. 7 seed, against No. 10-seed Utah State in the Jayhawks’ first game of the tournament. Win, and Kansas would go up against either No. 2-seed Alabama or No. 15-seed Bryant. Should it be a game against Alabama, it would be a reunion of sorts for Jayhawks guard Rylan Griffen, who transferred from Alabama to join Kansas during the most recent offseason.
USA TODAY — No. 7 seed
This projection from Friday morning predicts a round of 64 game against a former Big 12 program, No. 10-seed Oklahoma, which is now in the Southeastern Conference. Neither Oklahoma, nor potential round of 32 opponent No. 2-seed Tennessee, would be unfamiliar to the No. 7-seed Jayhawks. Of course, the potential remains that if KU beats Oklahoma it could face No. 15-seed Robert Morris in the next round, too.
CBS Sports — No. 6 seed
This projection from Saturday morning sees Kansas a bit better, as a No. 6 seed, and therefore would see the Jayhawks go up against a No. 11 seed in VCU. That puts KU in contention to face either No. 3-seed Maryland or No. 14-seed UNCW in the round of 32, should Self’s squad advance past the round of 64. Of the projections in this list, this might be the most favorable path to another Sweet 16 appearance for Kansas.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball bracketology: Projections for March Madness in 2025
-
Kansas basketball bracketology: Projections for Jayhawks in March Madness, NCAA tournament
Kansas basketball saw its Big 12 tournament run end in the quarterfinals. Now, looking ahead to the NCAA tournament, what do its chances look like?Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Where Louisville basketball’s 2025 NCAA Tournament resume stands for March Madness
Here’s where Louisville basketball bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Which seed does Kansas basketball coach Bill Self think KU will have in NCAA tournament?
Kansas basketball is awaiting the news of which seed it will have for the NCAA tournament this year. How will this path start in March Madness?Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Indiana basketball stands in March Madness bracket projections
Where Indiana Hoosiers basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Iowa State basketball stands in latest March Madness bracket predictions
Latest bracketology projections for Iowa State heading into Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Duke basketball’s NCAA Tournament resume stands as March Madness arrives
Duke basketball will be among the top seeds in March Madness. Here’s where the Blue Devils’ 2025 NCAA Tournament resume stands on Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where UNC basketball’s NCAA Tournament resume stands as March Madness arrives
UNC basketball is set to learn its March Madness fate. Here’s where the Tar Heels’ 2025 NCAA Tournament resume stands on Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Auburn basketball stands in March Madness bracket: 2025 NCAA Tournament update
Here's where Auburn basketball's March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Alabama basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions
Where Alabama basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 21h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Cortina's controversial Olympic sliding track slated for test runs by 60 athletes next week
The track’s essential structure is doneABC News - 14m -
Dickie V makes his March Madness picks for every game
The legendary broadcaster fills out his complete bracket ahead of the men's NCAA tournament.ESPN - 16m -
'It's Pop's decision. He's earned that': Inside Gregg Popovich's fight to return to the sideline
For the first time in 30 years, the legendary coach has been on a different sideline, battling to return to what he once was. This is the story of his season -- and what might come next for the ...ESPN - 19m -
Messi out for Argentina after MRI reveals injury
Lionel Messi will not join Argentina for World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay, failing to make the final roster after featuring in the pre-list.ESPN - 22m -
Courtois hopes Belgium exile drama now over
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he has poken to teammates about his lengthy exile from the national side.ESPN - 22m